Clamping circuit for the Vpop voltage used to program antifuses

ABSTRACT

A booting circuit, used during antifuse programming, that has a clamping circuit designed to prevent a programming voltage from being unnecessarily limited by other components in an integrated circuit. The booting circuit is connected between an external interface, such as a bond pad, and an internal line, and is activated when the programming voltage is being applied directly to the internal line (i.e., not through the external interface). When activated, the clamping circuit allows a suitable and sufficiently high voltage to be applied to the internal line to properly program the antifuses while also clamping the amount of voltage seen at the external interface.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a clamping circuit for the Vpop voltage used to program antifuses in an electronic circuit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many electronic circuits or integrated circuits (ICs) that utilize antifuses to set or program a piece of logic to a specific value. Antifuses are capacitive-type structures which, in their unblown state, form open circuits. Antifuses are programmed/blown by applying a high voltage across the antifuse. The high voltage causes the capacitive-type structure to break down, forming a conductive path through the antifuse. Therefore, programmed/blown antifuses conduct while unprogrammed/unblown antifuses do not. One circuit, for example, that uses antifuses is a memory circuit.

Typical memory circuits include arrays of memory cells arranged in rows and columns. These memory circuits will also include several redundant rows and columns that are used as substitutes for defective locations in the memory array. When a defective memory array location is identified, rather than treating the entire array as defective, a redundant row or column is substituted for the defective row or column. This substitution is performed by assigning the address of the defective row or column to the redundant row or column such that, when an address signal corresponding to the defective row or column is received, the redundant row or column is addressed instead.

To make the substitution of the redundant row or column substantially transparent to a system including the memory circuit, the memory circuit utilizes an address detection circuit. The address detection circuit monitors row and column addresses and enables redundant rows or columns if the address of a defective row or column is detected. FIG. 1 illustrates the typical memory circuit 10 including an address detection circuit 20, control and address circuitry 12, an array of memory cells 14 and row and columns of redundant memory cells 16.

One type of address detection circuit 20 is a fuse-bank address detection circuit. A fuse-bank address detection circuit utilizes several fuse-bank circuits to control the redundant rows and columns. Each fuse-bank circuit corresponds to one of the redundant rows or columns. If there are eight redundant rows and eight redundant columns, for example, then the address detection circuit 20 will include sixteen fuse-bank circuits. Each fuse-bank circuit includes a bank of sense lines, each sense line connected to a respective fuse. Each sense line corresponds to one bit of a memory address since each fuse-bank will be programmed with an address of a defective memory array location. If an address comprises eight bits, then each fuse-bank circuit includes eight sense lines, each with corresponding fuses.

The sense lines are “programmed” by blowing fuses in a pattern corresponding to the address word of the defective row or column (hereinafter referred to as the programmed addresses). The programmed addresses are then detected by initially applying a test voltage across the bank of sense lines. Then, bits of an external address are applied to the sense lines. If the pattern of blown fuses corresponds exactly to the pattern of external bits, a redundant match will be detected and the output signal will switch to a high state. Otherwise, if at least one external address bit does not correspond to its respective blown fuse, a non-match will be detected and the output signal will be in a low state. Therefore, a high voltage indicates that the programmed address matches the external address while a low voltage does not. A matched address indicates that the redundant row or column should be used.

To save the costs and labor required to blow the conventional fuse, antifuses have replaced fuses in the address detection circuit 20. FIG. 2 illustrates an antifuse circuit 30 used in an antifuse-bank circuit. The circuit 30 corresponds to one bit of a programmed address. As previously stated, if an address consisted of eight bits, then each antifuse-bank circuit would include eight antifuse circuits 30. An antifuse 32, illustrated in its unprogrammed (i.e., unblown) state, is connected to a switchable signal line often referred to as a common ground line (hereinafter “CGND line) and a latch circuit 34. During normal operation, the CGND line is held at a ground potential to provide a reference for the antifuse 32. To program the antifuse 32, the CGND line is supplied with a high voltage sufficient enough to cause the capacitive-type structure of the antifuse 32 to break down. Generally, the high voltage used to program the antifuse is referred to as a programming voltage (Vpop).

Once programmed, the antifuse 32 has a known impedance, plus or minus a predetermined margin, which is detected by the latch circuit 34. When strobed by logic in the address detection circuit 20 (FIG. 1), the latch circuit 34 detects the impedance of the antifuse 32 and outputs an output signal that is either a logical “1” if the antifuse is programmed or a logical “0” if the antifuse is not programmed. This output signal when combined with the output signals of the remaining antifuse circuits 30 of the antifuse-bank circuit forms an address of a defective memory location (i.e., a programmed address). The operation of antifuses in an address detection circuit 20 is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,734,617 (Zheng), 5,742,555 (Marr et al.), and 5,706,238 (Cutter et al.), all assigned to Micron Technology Inc. and incorporated by reference herein.

In some ICs, the CGND line is directly accessible before the device is packaged (e.g., still in wafer form). During initial testing and repair, the CGND line is connected to directly using a probe card. This is referred to herein as “direct-connect” programming or a first programming mode of operation. In direct-connect programming, the probe card provides the programming voltage Vpop to the CGND line, which is used to program the appropriate antifuse. After the device is packaged, however, the direct connection to the CGND line cannot be made. Because it is desirable to make repairs to the packaged product, manufacturers will include a backdoor mechanism for applying the programming voltage Vpop to the internal CGND line from an external device. This is referred to herein as “external” programming or a second programming mode and is provided via a pin on the external package.

The backdoor mechanism typically includes a booting circuit connected between the external connection (i.e., pin/pad) and the CGND line. During normal operation of the packaged IC, the booting circuit isolates the external pin/pad from the internal CGND line. During a test mode of the packaged part, when it is desirable to program antifuses (i.e., during the second programming mode), the booting circuit receives the programming voltage Vpop from the external pin/pad and passes the voltage Vpop to the CGND line. Typically, the booting circuit uses a pass gate transistor to connect the external pad to the CGND line. The pass gate transistor is “booted” (i.e., has its gate voltage capacitively driven to an elevated level to turn it on to a preferred strength (a certain voltage from its gate to its source) and avoid any threshold voltage loss across the device) by a booting capacitor circuit.

Unfortunately, due to the self-booting nature of portions of the booting circuit, when the unpackaged memory device is being programmed by the directly connected probe (e.g., during direct-connect programming or first programming mode), the voltage on the CGND line is passed onto the external pad. This very high voltage is seen across the electrostatic discharge (ESD) device of the pad, which can breakdown and limit the programming voltage Vpop. Limiting the programming voltage Vpop increases the time required to program the antifuses and decreases the resistance distribution in blown antifuses. Both of these side effects are undesirable.

Accordingly, there is a desire and need for a booting circuit that substantially ensures that the proper voltage is applied to the antifuses during antifuse programming and in particular, during direct-connect antifuse programming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a booting circuit, used during antifuse programming, which substantially ensures that the proper programming voltage is applied to the antifuses during antifuse programming.

The present invention provides a booting circuit, used during antifuse programming, which substantially ensures that the proper programming voltage is applied to the antifuses during direct-connect antifuse programming.

The above and other features and advantages are achieved by a booting circuit, used during antifuse programming, that has a clamping circuit designed to prevent a programming voltage from being unnecessarily limited by other components in a integrated circuit. The booting circuit is connected between an external interface, such as a bond pad, and an internal line, and is activated when the programming voltage is being applied directly to the internal line (i.e., not through the external interface). When activated, the clamping circuit allows a suitable and sufficiently high voltage to be applied to the internal line to properly program the antifuses, yet clamps the amount of voltage seen at the external interface. The clamping prevents ESD breakdown by the external interface from unnecessarily limiting the programming voltage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other advantages and features of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of exemplary embodiments provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a typical redundant memory circuit;

FIG. 2 illustrates an antifuse circuit used in the memory circuit illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a booting circuit constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a processor system incorporating a memory circuit constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, reference is made to various specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described with sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be employed, and that structural and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

In addition, the embodiments of the invention are described as applied to an SDRAM (synchronous dynamic random access memory). However, the invention is not limited to SDRAMs, and it should be appreciated that the invention is equally applied to other memory devices such as, for example, static RAMs (SRAMs), dynamic RAMs (DRAMs), video RAMs (VRAMs), and erasable programmable read only memories (EPROMs). It should also be appreciated that the invention is equally applied to other devices or integrated circuits that use and program antifuses such as processors and controllers.

FIG. 3 illustrates a booting circuit 100 constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The circuit 100 is used in an integrated circuit such as a memory device (e.g., SDRAM) and includes a pass gate transistor 102, a precharge circuit 110, a booting capacitor circuit 140 and a clamping circuit 150. The booting circuit 100 is connected between a bond pad 104 (via line portion CgndPad) and the CGND line by the pass gate transistor 102. The bond pad 104 may be any pad suitable for receiving the programming voltage Vpop. Thus, the pad 104 serves as an interface for applying the programming voltage Vpop to the booting circuit 100 from an external source and may be referred to herein as an external interface.

The precharge circuit 110 includes three inverters 112, 116, 122, a NAND gate 114, five n-channel MOSFET (metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor) transistors 120, 126, 128, 130, 132 and two p-channel MOSFET transistors 118, 124. The first inverter 112 has its input connected to receive a probe signal PROBEttl. The output of the first inverter 112 is connected to a first input of the NAND gate 114. The second input of the NAND gate 114 is connected to receive an enable programming signal ENPROG. The probe signal PROBEttl and the enable programming signal ENPROG are used to control the operation of the precharge circuit 110 (and the clamping circuit 150) as discussed below in more detail.

The output of the NAND gate 114 is input by the second inverter 116. The output of the second inverter 116 is input by the third inverter 122 and is also connected to the gate of the first n-channel 120. The first n-channel transistor 120 is connected between a ground potential and the first p-channel 118. The output of the third inverter 122 is connected to the gates of the second and fourth n-channel transistors 126, 130. The second n-channel transistor 126 is connected between a ground potential and the second p-channel transistor 124. The fourth n-channel transistor 130 is connected between a ground potential and the third n-channel transistor 128.

The first p-channel transistor 118 has its gate connected to the connection between the second n-channel transistor 126 and the second p-channel transistor 124. The second p-channel 124 has its gate connected to the connection between the first n-channel transistor 120 and the first p-channel transistor 118. Both of the p-channel transistors 118, 124 have their source terminals connected to a pumped voltage VCCP!. The pumped voltage VCCP! is also applied to the gate of the third n-channel transistor 128. The third n-channel transistor 128 has its source fed back to its drain and is also connected to the source of the fourth n-channel transistor 130. The fifth n-channel transistor 132 has its gate connected to the pumped voltage VCCP! and its drain connected to the connection between the third and fourth n-channel transistors 128, 130.

The fifth n-channel transistor 132 is also connected to the booting capacitor circuit 140 and a node B. As will be discussed below in more detail, the function of the precharge circuit 110 is precharge the pass gate transistor 102 to the pumped voltage VCCP!.

The booting capacitor circuit 140 is connected between the node B (NET160) and the precharge circuit 110 and is also connected to the CGND line and the clamping circuit 150. In operation, if the clamping circuit were not present, the booting capacitor circuit 140 would input the programming voltage from the CGND line, which then boots the pass gate transistor 102 (via node B). Booting the pass gate transistor 102 is not desirable, however, when direct-connect programming is being performed because the programming voltage can be passed to the pad 104. As noted above, ESD devices (or other forms of junction breakdown devices) of the pad 104 can in turn limit the programming voltage, which impacts the antifuse programming operation. Thus, the booting capacitor circuit 140 inputs the clamped programming voltage from the clamping circuit 150. As explained below, the clamped voltage does not boot the pass gate transistor 102, which prevents the aforementioned problems.

The exemplary clamping circuit 150 includes an inverter 152, a NAND gate 154, a series of six diode-connected transistors 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, and two n-channel MOSFET transistors 168, 170. The input of the inverter 152 is connected to the probe signal PROBEttl. The output of the inverter 152 is connected to a first input of the NAND gate 154. The second input of the NAND gate 154 is connected to the enable programming signal ENPROG. The output of the NAND gate 154 is connected to the gate terminal of the second n-channel transistor 170. The second n-channel transistor 170 is connected between a ground potential and the first n-channel transistor 168. The first n-channel transistor is connected to the series connection of the diode-connected transistors 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166 and has its gate terminal connected to the pumped voltage VCCP!.

The diode-connected transistors 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166 are connected between the CGND line and the first n-channel transistor 168 and essentially form a voltage divider circuit for any voltage received from the CGND line. The diode-connected transistors 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166 are also connected to node B. The voltage division performed by the diode-connected transistors 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166 reduces the voltage seen at the booting capacitor circuit 140. In operation, the clamping circuit 150 is only activated when the enable programming signal ENPROG indicates that antifuse programming has been enabled and the probe signal PROBEttl indicates that programming is being performed by a directly-connected probe card. Otherwise, the clamping circuit 150 is disabled.

The booting circuit 100 operates as follows. When the enable programming signal ENPROG indicates that antifuse programming is not enabled, the precharging function of the precharge circuit 110 is disabled. Because the precharge circuit 110 is disabled, the node B is tied to a ground potential. With the node B tied to the ground potential, the pass gate transistor 102 remains off, which isolates the pad 104 from the CGND line. This situation arises when the packaged SDRAM is in normal operational mode or when testing of the unpackaged SDRAM has been completed. It should be noted that the clamping circuit 150 is also disabled at this point.

When the enable programming signal ENPROG indicates that antifuse programming is enabled, the precharging function of the precharge circuit 110 is activated, but depending upon the state of the probe signal PROBEttl, the clamping circuit 150 may or may not be activated. If the probe signal PROBEttl indicates that a directly-connected probe is not being used to supply the programming voltage, then the clamping circuit 150 is disabled. The precharge circuit 110, however, precharges the node B to the pumped voltage VCCP! and when the pad 104 is brought up to the programming voltage Vpop, the voltage at the node B and pass gate transistor 102 are self-booted (via the booting capacitor circuit 140). Once booted, the pass gate transistor 102 allows the programming voltage Vpop to pass from the pad 104 to the CGND line. It should be noted that this scenario only arises when the internal CGND line cannot be directly-connected to a probe, such as when the SDRAM has been packaged and the device is in the second programming mode.

When the enable programming signal ENPROG indicates that antifuse programming is enabled and the probe signal PROBEttl indicates that a directly-connected probe is being used to supply the programming voltage, then both the precharge circuit 110 and the clamping circuit 150 are activated. This is the first programming mode described above. Under these circumstances, the node B is precharged to the pumped voltage VCCP! by the precharge circuit 110, but when the CGND line is brought up to the programming voltage Vpop, the voltage seen at the node B is clamped by the clamping circuit 150. Because the voltage seen at the node B is clamped, the pass gate transistor 102 does not get booted and thus, does not pass the full programming voltage Vpop to the pad 104. Thus, the pad 104 does not receive the full level of the programming voltage Vpop, but the CGND line does. Because the pad 104 does not receive the full programming voltage Vpop, its ESD devices do not unnecessarily limit the voltage. As such, the full programming voltage Vpop can be applied to the antifuses (via the CGND line), which decreases the time required to program the antifuses and increases the resistance distribution in the programmed/blown antifuses—both of which are desirable and unachievable in prior art devices.

It should be noted that the clamping circuit 150 illustrated in FIG. 3 is one example of how to implement clamping in the booting circuit 100. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the precise circuitry used in the clamping circuit 150 is not important as long as the circuitry used can clamp the programming voltage when required. It should also be appreciated that the illustrated circuitry for the precharge circuit 110 is merely one example of how to precharge the node B and that the invention is not to be limited to a particular configuration of the precharge circuit 110.

FIG. 4 illustrates a processor system 500 incorporating a memory circuit 512 constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. That is, the memory circuit 512 comprises a booting circuit 100 designed to substantially ensure that the programming voltage Vpop is not unnecessarily limited during the direct-connect programming operation as explained above with respect to FIG. 3. The system 500 may be a computer system, a process control system or any other system employing a processor and associated memory.

The system 500 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 502, e.g., a microprocessor, that communicates with the DRAM memory circuit 512 and an I/O device 508 over a bus 520. It must be noted that the bus 520 may be a series of buses and bridges commonly used in a processor system, but for convenience purposes only, the bus 520 has been illustrated as a single bus. A second I/O device 510 is illustrated, but is not necessary to practice the invention. The system 500 may also include additional memory devices such as a read-only memory (ROM) device 514, and peripheral devices such as a floppy disk drive 504 and a compact disk (CD) ROM drive 506 that also communicates with the CPU 502 over the bus 520 as is well known in the art. It should be noted that the memory 512 may be embedded on the same chip as the CPU 502 if so desired.

While the invention has been described and illustrated with reference to exemplary embodiments, many variations can be made and equivalents substituted without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be understood as being limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims. 

1-51. (canceled)
 52. A method of programming a programmable element in a memory device, said method comprising the acts of: inputting at least one control signal indicative of an operational mode of the memory device; coupling an internal programming voltage to the programmable element when the at least one control signal is indicative of a first operational mode; and preventing the internal programming voltage from being connected to an external interface of the device when the at least one control signal is indicative of the first operational mode.
 53. The method of claim 52, wherein the programmable element is an antifuse.
 54. The method of claim 52, wherein said preventing step comprises the act of substantially disconnecting a path between the external interface and the internal programming voltage.
 55. The method of claim 52, wherein the internal programming voltage is input from a probe applied to an internal node within the memory device.
 56. The method of claim 52 further comprising the acts of: inputting an external programming voltage; and coupling the external programming voltage to the programmable element when the at least one control signal is indicative of a second operational mode.
 57. The method of claim 56, wherein said act of inputting the external programming voltage comprises inputting the external programming voltage from a bond pad of the memory device.
 58. The method of claim 56, wherein the act of coupling the external voltage to the programmable element comprises: precharging a node connected between the external interface and a line connected to the programmable element; and applying the external programming voltage to the line when the node is precharged.
 59. The method of claim 52, wherein the at least one control signal comprises a first signal indicating whether a probe is directly connected to a node within the memory device.
 60. The method of claim 59, wherein the at least one control signal comprises a second signal indicating whether programming of the programmable element is enabled.
 61. A method of programming a programmable element in a memory device, said method comprising the acts of: coupling an internal programming voltage to the programmable element when at least one control signal is indicative of a first operational mode of the device; and coupling an external programming voltage to the programmable element when the at least one control signal is indicative of a second operational mode.
 62. The method of claim 61, further comprising the act of preventing the internal programming voltage from being connected to an external interface of the device when the at least one control signal is indicative of the first operational mode.
 63. The method of claim 62, wherein said preventing step comprises the act of substantially disconnecting a path between the external interface and the internal programming voltage.
 64. The method of claim 61 further comprising the act of inputting the internal programming voltage from a probe applied to an internal node within the memory device when the at least one control signal is indicative of the first operational mode.
 65. The method of claim 61 further comprising the act of inputting the external programming voltage from a bond pad of the memory device when the at least one control signal is indicative of the second operational mode.
 66. The method of claim 61, wherein the act of coupling the external voltage to the programmable element comprises: precharging a node connected between the external interface and a line connected to the programmable element; and applying the external programming voltage to the line when the node is precharged.
 67. The method of claim 61, wherein the at least one control signal comprises a first signal indicating whether a probe is directly connected to a node within the memory device.
 68. The method of claim 61, wherein the at least one control signal comprises a second signal indicating whether programming of the programmable element is enabled.
 69. A method of programming a programmable element in a memory device, said method comprising the acts of: in response to receiving at least one control signal indicative of a first operational mode of the device, coupling a programming voltage being applied to an internal node of the device to the programmable element and preventing the programming voltage from being connected to an external interface of the device; and in response to receiving at least one control signal indicative of a second operational mode of the device, coupling an external programming voltage to the programmable element.
 70. The method of claim 69, wherein said preventing step comprises the act of substantially disconnecting a path between the external interface and the internal programming voltage.
 71. The method of claim 69, wherein the external interface is a bond pad of the memory device.
 72. The method of claim 69, wherein the act of coupling the external voltage to the programmable element comprises: precharging a node connected between the external interface and a line connected to the programmable element; and applying the external programming voltage to the line when the node is precharged. 